First Group Of Ghanaians Successfully Evacuated From Iran To Turkey – Okudzeto Ablakwa

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced the successful evacuation of the first group of Ghanaians from Iran to Turkey, as part of broader efforts to ensure the safety of citizens amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

In a Facebook post on Friday, June 20, Ablakwa also revealed ongoing plans to evacuate Ghanaians residing in Israel.

He noted that earlier in the week, he held discussions with the ambassadors of both Iran and Israel to present the Mahama administration’s emergency evacuation strategy. According to him, the plan was shared to support coordination efforts and secure the necessary border clearance for a safe and timely evacuation.

“These engagements have also deepened our understanding of the current conflict,” Ablakwa added.

The Minister also addressed Ghana’s displeasure over recent comments made by the Israeli Ambassador concerning Ghana’s voting record in international forums.

He stated that he took the opportunity to reaffirm Ghana’s sovereign right to make independent foreign policy decisions, grounded in the country’s long-standing principles.

“I urged him to respect our sovereign right to make independent decisions based on our longstanding, globally respected foreign policy principles—anchored in the national interest as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, a pacifist approach to peacebuilding, non-alignment, respect for the UN Charter, adherence to the rules-based international order, belief in multilateralism, and strict compliance with international law,” he wrote.

Ablakwa concluded by reiterating Ghana’s call for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

This week, I invited the ambassadors of Israel and Iran to my office for separate meetings.

On Tuesday, I met with H.E. Roey Gilad of Israel and then held talks with H.E. Ali Ghomshi of Iran on Wednesday.

The meetings afforded me the opportunity to convey the Mahama… pic.twitter.com/DkojliTuVa

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) June 20, 2025

Source: Nkonkonsa.com